A New Era for Montessori: Guidepost Global Education Unites 100+ Schools Across the U.S. and Asia
Families can count on us: with renewed stability, authentic classrooms, and educators focused on your child, Guidepost Montessori is building schools parents trust.
The Guidepost Team
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Austin, Texas, September 9, 2025 – Guidepost Global Education (GGE) today announces its formation as a leading global Montessori network, uniting more than 100 schools under the Guidepost Montessori brand across the United States and Asia. Together, these schools serve over 10,000 families worldwide with a team of more than 2,500 teachers and administrators.
Fully independent from Higher Ground Education, the formation of GGE marks a new chapter for Guidepost Montessori. GGE is now a more resilient company supported by a diverse group of strategic and institutional partners with a proven history in education, including Cosmic Education (Asia’s leading Montessori preschool operator), 2 Hour Learning (through its Alpha Schools network), and Learn Capital, a global venture firm at the forefront of education innovation.
With the support of these partners, GGE is charting a new path forward with a simple goal: to create schools where children flourish, families feel at home, and educators are empowered in their work.
New Leadership Appointments
- Steve Xu, Global CEO. With more than eight years of leadership experience in early childhood education, following a successful career in investment banking, Steve combines educational expertise with disciplined financial stewardship to guide GGE’s global future.
- Maris Mendes, CEO of U.S. With over a decade of leadership in early childhood education and retail, Maris brings deep operational knowledge and a strong track record within Guidepost Montessori in the U.S.
“Today’s announcement marks a fresh commitment to our Guidepost Montessori communities. It puts children, families, and the educators who serve them at the center. My focus is to build an enduring organization with careful stewardship, so children thrive in authentic Montessori classrooms, families feel truly welcomed, educators have the support they need to do their best work, and our schools grow as joyful, stable communities.”
Steve XuGlobal CEO of GGE
A Sharpened Focus
Building on that commitment, GGE is sharpening its focus on early childhood and on the daily experience of children and families. With a simpler structure, we will prioritize what happens in classrooms and equip educators and school leaders with the tools and support they need to excel.
“I’m excited to continue bringing the promise of Montessori to more families across the U.S. With a clearer strategy and purpose, we’re investing deeply in our people and our schools, so families feel the difference every day. This is about creating exceptional experiences for children and parents, while giving educators the resources to flourish.”
Maris MendesCEO of GGE U.S.
Over the coming months, GGE will share more on how this vision is coming to life through new partnerships that bridge Montessori’s timeless foundation with forward-looking innovation. From global collaborations to tech initiatives, GGE is creating pathways that enhance parent and educator experiences while sustaining deep investment in its people, operations, stability, and—most importantly—children.
About Guidepost Global Education
Guidepost Global Education (GGE) is the parent company of Guidepost Montessori, the world’s largest Montessori network, with more than 100 schools across the United States and Asia. GGE’s mission is to deliver high-fidelity Montessori education with exceptional hospitality, powered by extraordinary people—one school, one family, one child at a time.